Panel-board cabinet.



0. D. P'LATT.

PANEL BOARD CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6,-1913.

1,099,268. Pa ented June 9, 1914.

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In Ven tor: G'ZamzacelZPlaZi 0. D. PLATT. PANEL BOARD CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1913.

1,099,268. Patented June 9,19%

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COLUMBIA PuNoGFuPH C0-. WASHINGTON. n. C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE I). PLATT, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

PANEL-BOARD CABINET.

To all whom itmay concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE D. PLATT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Panel-Board Cabinets, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the class of devices commonly known as panel-boards and more particularly to panel-boards and their correlation to the cabinet or inclosing casing.

The invention relates more particularly to a new panel-board and inclosing casing arranged with its operating mechanisms accessible from the exterior of the casing and with features of complete inclosure against the ingress of dust. dirt and further against improper operation of the mechanism.

The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of means whereby snap switches of ordinary construction forming the circuit making and breaking elements of a panel-board may be operated from the exterior. of the inclosing cabinet while said cabinet is closed.

A further object is to provide means in conjunction with the circuit controlling devices whereby visible indications insure the proper position of the circuit making and breaking members, said indications being visible and being made changeable through the movement of the circuit controlling elements from the outside of the cabinet.

A still further object is to provide an ar rangement of parts and means for insuring the tightness of the cabinet by providing yielding dust-protectors appurtenant to the cover and circuit controlling elements accessible therethrough.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a face view of a cabinet embodying the invention and illustrating the circuit controlling devices accessible while the door of the cabinet is closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the door broken away to illustrate the arrangei ment of feeder, branch conductors and circuit controlling devices. Fig. 3 is a detail view in enlarged scale in partial section through the panel board and inclosing casing with parts broken away to illustrate the construction. Fig. 4 illustrates a detail view of the supporting insulator for the snap switches. Fig. 5 a detail view illustrating a preferred. form of resilient dust cush- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 6,

Patented June 9, 1914.

1913. Serial No. 746.529.

ion intermediate the switch and door. Fig. 6 shows a slightly modified form of resilient cushion. Fig 7 illustrates a further modified form of dust cushion. Fig. 8 illustrates amodified form of insulator recessed to receive a switch and with a re silient means intermediate the insulator and door. Fig. is a plan view illus trating the use of a snap switch having a locking device appurtenant thereto. Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail view of the resilient dust-cushion of preferred form shown in Fig. 5.

It has long been the practice to provide panel boards that is, a base of insulating material having arranged thereon feeder and branch conductors with devices for opening and closing the circuits of the branch conductors and with fuse devices for protecting the circuits. Ordinarly, such panel boards have been formed of slate or similar material and with their conductors and appurtenant devices arranged within inclosing boxes or cabinets with a door opening thereinto in such position that the switches of the various circuits and fuse devices are accessible only when the door is unlocked and open. In all such devices it has been essential and in fact a requirement of the Board of Underwriters that the cabinets be made tight and dust-proof to avoid such an accumulation of dust or other foreign matter as might be conducive to the shortcircuiting of the panel-board. In such panel-boards the switches and appurtenant parts have been located in very compact form and there is always the liability of an operator being shocked inasmuch as the hands must of necessity come into more or less close juxtaposition to the charged conductors. This is not only a source of danger to the user but requires frequent opening and closing of the door with the attendant liability of dust and moisture entering the panel box. This is particularly undesirable where boxes are used under conditions where the air is impregnated with flying particles of material or where there is undue moisture as is the case in many manufacturing buildings.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a panel box in which the operating mechanism for controlling the circuits is accessible from the exterior of the panel, box while said box is closed and sealed against the ingress of dust and moisture and this is eflected by arranging a series of switch devices for the several branch conductors and their circuits in such manner that they project through or are appurtenant to perforations or openings in the door of the panel box and may be operated while said door is in closed position. The arrangement also contemplates indicators visible from the exterior of the box through its walls or door so that there can be no error in the manipulation of the circuit controlling devices. \Vith such an arrangement all danger to the operator is completely avoided while opening or closing the circuits and in the event of inspection being required, the switch devices may be opened without bringing the hands into close juxtaposition to the feeder conductors or the branch conductors. The advantages are obvious and are attained as hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the drawings, A denotes a panel-board cabinet shown herein as provided with a hinged door B. These panelboxcs in modern practice are made up sometimes of wood but more often of sheet metal with close joints which make them practically a sealed cabinet.

As illustrated herein the door B is hinged to the face plate or wall 1 of the cabinet A byhinges 2, 3, and is provided with means for locking it and as a convenient means of opening and closing it, a knob 1. lVithin the cabinet is arranged a panel C which is made of insulating material, usually slate, and is secured in any desired manner within the cabinet. This board, as illustrated herein, is provided with bus-bars or feeders 5, G and branclrconductors 7, 8, suitably arranged in pairs and connected with the feeders 5, 6. To contol the circuits of the branch conductors 7, 8, there are, as illustrated herein. snap switches 9, which. for purposes of illustration, may be considered as double pole switches making and break ingboth legs of the circuit of the branch conductors 7. 8. There is also illustrated herein fuse devices 10, 11, to protect the circuits. There are, of course, the usual con 'nectors at the ends of the feeders and branch conductors for convenience of attaching the line wires of the various circuits, which are controlled and opened and closed from the panel-board.

Obviously, a definite arrangement is illustrated herein which embodies feeder and branch conductors, rotary snap switches, fuse devices and connectors. It is not material to the invention just what arrangement of parts is used, nor is it material that any exact'form or type of conductor, switch device, fuse or connector'be employed.

' The main feature of the invention resides in the employment of switchdevices for con- 7 trolling the circuits of the panel-board, said switch devices being accessible for manipulation from the exterior of the casing through its door B.

The invention further resides in the novel features of providing a dust-tight casing and in the arrangement by which indications as to the open or closed conditions of the circuits is visible to the operator from the exterior of the caslng.

To effect these results, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4:, a series of insulating bosses or members 12 are suitably mounted upon the panel and form raised supports for the switch devices herein shown as rotary snap switches 9. These insulating supports 12 are provided at their lower ends with sockets 13, 14;, 15, 1.6, for receiving the branch conductors 7, 8, and 7 and 8 which are connected to the proper terminals of the switch mechanism not specifically shown herein through binding and conducting screws 17. These screws, in practice, are preferably firmly seated against the stationary contact members of the switch mechanism and at their lower ends are screwed into the branch conductors, thus forming a direct connection between the switch parts and their conductors and firmly binding the switch and its support in place with reference to the'conductors and the panel-board Q. As illustrated, a snap switch of ordinary type is employed having an insulating base 18-, cover 19 and thumb-button 20 for rotating the switch to open and close the circuits. The details of the switch form no particular part of the present invention and being well-known in the art are not illustrated in detail. It is apparent that the supporting blocks 12 raise the switch well above the conductors and other devices upon the panel-board and thus, the hand of the operator need never come into close juxtaposition to said conductors. The switches are arranged to register with perforations 21 formed in the door or movable panel of the cabinet and as illustrated in the drawings, when said door is closed the perforations surround the cap or cover of the switch with the thumb-buttons 20 projecting therethrough. Ordinary snap switches are provided with indicators in their covers show ing whether the circuit controlled by the switch is open or closed and when the invention is embodied as above described with the cover of the casing encircling the switch cover, these indications are clearly visible to the operator. In the event of the opening'through the casing being smaller than the cover of the switch and fitting closely about the operating button, obviously, perforations may be provided through the door corresponding in position to the indicators of the switches so that an indication of the position of the switch parts is readily visible from the outside of the door when it is holding the dust washer 26 firmly against closed. iVith the door or movable panel of the inclosing panel-board cabinet perforated and to insure a tight cabinet proof against the ingress of dust, dirt or moisture, resilient cushions are arranged between the switches and the cover. These may be of various forms and designs, several of which are illustrated in Figs. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a simple form of resilient member which consists of an encircling washer 22, closely fitting the cap 19 of the switch and pressed outward against an annular shoulder 22 thereof by a coil spring 23. This spring at its lower end abuts against a washer 24 held upon the cap 19 by small bosses 25 pressed out from the lower edge of the cap. The tightly fitting washer 22 abuts against the inner face of the door B when it is closed and thus the perforation 21 which of necessity is slightly larger than the switch casing 19, is completely and effectively closed; the washer 22 being pressed firmly and evenly against the inner face of the door by its spring 23.

In practice, the door perforation is about three-sixteenths of an inch larger than the diameter of the annular shoulder 22 of the switch casing. Likewise, the perforation 21 of the door is some five-sixteenths of an inch larger in diameter than the hole in the dust-proof washer 22. The perforation 21 of the door encircles the annular shoulder 22' of the switch casing and must, of necessity, be somewhat larger than the annular shoulder in order to permit swinging of the door without striking the switches. The dust-proof washer is located below the shoulder 22 and its perforation is approximately a sixty-fourth of an inch larger than the straight sides of the casing. In fact, it is made as tight as mechanical practice will permit and as it is of a sufficient diameter to extend out under the lower surface of the perforated door and completely cover the perforation through the door, it acts as an efficient seal. It is, of course, movable in order to perform its stated function and its spring holds it firmly and flatly against the under face of the door. This washer in conjunction with the shoulder upon the switch and the face of the door provides as nearly as possible and as mechanical practice will permit a dust-proof device.

A still simpler and what might be considered a preferred form of resilient cushion is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 11, wherein a dust washer 26 tightly encircles the cap of the switch, which cap is provided with bosses 27 to support an abutting washer 28. Between the washers 26 and 28 is arranged a simple form of bent spring washer 29 which gives the proper resiliency between the washers 26 and 28 and always insures the inner face of the cover to exclude dust which might ordinarily find its way through the perforation of said cover surrounding the switch casing.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated a further form of dust-tight cushion which in effect is substantially the same as those heretofore described, but differs in having its washer 30 provided with a downturned neck 31 which gives a considerable bearing where it fits tightly about the cap of the switch. In this case, a lower washer 32 forms an abutment for the lower end of the spring 33 which bears against the horizontal portion 30 of the dust washer.

A similar form of cushion is illustrated in Fig. 7 and has the same features of non-tilting due to a long bearing as are present in the form illustrated in Fig. 6. In Fig. T the washer has its upper portion closely encircling the cap of the switch and with an extended skirt 3 projecting downwardly and about the base 36 of the switch. Intermediate the inturned portion 34 and the switch base is a pad of felt or similar resilient material 37. The whole structure forms a dust-proof cushion to prevent ingress of dirt through the perforations of the door of the cabinet.

In Fig. 8, there is illustrated a modified form of support and resilient cushion in which the insulating support 38 is recessed at its upper end as at 39 to receive the switch 40; Arranged appurtenant to the upper ends 41 of the support and the under face 42 of the door or cover is an annular cushion of felt or similar material 43 which will be compressed when the door is closed. thus forming an absolutely tight joint to prevent ingress of dust or moisture. This modified form of support has some advantages in that it provides a complete insulation about the switch parts.

It is to be noted that in either of the forms of cushion defined. the covers may be readily removed from the switch bases carrying with them the resilient cushions or dust protectors thus exposing the operating mechanism of the switch in the event of the same requiring inspection. The operator is never exposed to the liability of shock from the various circuits of the panelboard as. when opening a single switch. all other switch mechanisms are insulated from him and he has only to contend with the one circuit and switch in question. This is quite different from the condition existing where the switch devices are arranged down upon the panel-board C in close juxtaposition to the various conductors of the board.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown a switch device having a lock and key attachment appurtenant to the operating button. Such a device may, of course, be used to great adswitches. V

lic. This form of device prevents tamper ing ofunauthorizdpersons and insures. the

circuits remaining in eitherv the open or closed.

closed position, which may be desired.

Obviously, the exact form of switch and details of the arrangement of the switch.

with reference to the conductors and appurtenant devices of the panel-board are quite immaterial, the main feature of, the device residing in its convenience of operation, the

surety of proper operation and the safe and convenient manipulation of the circuits from the exterior of the casing.

The door of the casing need never be open, except for the connection of circuits to the branch-conductor terminals after it is properly set up. This precludes the necessity of frequent opening of the door and insures a tight,clean casing for the panelboard, all the circuits of which are controllable and accessible through the perforations of the door. The device as a whole presents an extremely neat apperance having many advantages as above defined and with features of safety to the operator not heretofore attained in devices of this character.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A panel-board cabinet comprising a box-like structure provided with a door having openings therethrough, switch devices having thumb buttons and inclosing covers for the contacts, supported so as to register with the said openings, the covers extending into and substantially filling the openings when the door is closed, and the thumb buttons being then exposed.

2. A panel-board cabinet embodying a box-like structure having a door provided with openings therethrough, a panel-board arranged therein and bearing feeder and branch conductors and a series of switch devices controlling the circuits of said feeder and branch conductors, said switch devices registering with said perforations and accessible with the door closed, and dust-proof devices appurtenant to the switches and per forations.

3. A panel-board having feeders and branch conductors and appurtenant devices, a series of switch devices arranged one for each pair of branch conductors, a casing inclosing said panel and its switches, a door for said casing having apertures registering with said switch devices and dust-proofing devices intermediate the switches and door for sealing the perforations about the LA panel-board cabinet comprising a box-like structure providedwith a doorhaving perforations therethrough, switch dec s moun d in the ca ne r gistering therewith and projecting into and encircled by the perforations of the door, resilient seals appurtenantto the switches and'perforations of the door, said switches and seals closing the perforations while the d'ooris 5. A panel-board cabinet comprising a box-like; structure provided with a door having openings therethrough, switch devices mounted within the cabinet and adapted to register with the said openings and accessible :with the door closed,.a-nd re silient means intermediate the cover and switch devices for sealing the openings through said door.

'6. In a device of the character described embodyinga panel board having an inclosingcasing, a door for said casing, apertures through said door, switch devices operatively arranged with reference to the panel board and its conductors and registering with the apertures of the door and means intermediate the apertures and switch devices for sealing the openings through said door.

7; In a device of the character described, a panel board having feeder and branch conductors and appurtenant devices, a series of switch devices controlling the circuits of said conductors, an inclosing casing for said panel and appurtenant'parts, a door for said casing having apertures registering with said switch devices and indicators appurtenant to the cover for visually showing the position and the condition of the circuits controlled by the switch devices and means intermediate the door and switch devices for sealing the apertures of the door.

8. In a device of the character described embodyinga series of conductors, switch devices controlling the circuits of said conductors, an inclosing casing having a door provided with apertures registering with and encircling the switch devices, operating means for the switch devices accessible with the door closed and devices for sealing the apertures against ingress of dust when said door is closed.

9. In a device of the character described embodying a seriesof conductors, switch devices controlling the circuits of said conductors, an inclosing casing having a door pro 'vided with apertures registering with the switch devices, operating means for the switch devices accessible with the door closed, visual indicators appurtenant to the apertures for showing the position of the switch parts'and spring washers interposed be ween t swi ch evic s a d door fo sealing the apertures; when the door is 'close 10. In a device of the character described, a box-like structure adapted to inclosea panel-board and provided with a movable cover having apertu es here hr gh, wit h devices registering with said apertures and resilient cushions intermediate the cover and switch devices, closely surrounding the latter and adapted to rest against the former when it is in closed position.

11. A panel-board cabinet comprising a box-like structure provided with a door having perforations therethrough, snap switches mounted within the cabinet and registering with the openings and resilient 10 cushions surrounding the snap switches and adapted to be compressed when the door is closed with its perforations registering with Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

